50 beauties vie for honor as 50th Binibini

MANILA, Philippines - The 50 beauties competing to be the 50th title-holder in the 50th Bb. Pilipinas Pageant to be held on April 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum (aired live by ABS-CBN) were presented to the press last Monday at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-la Hotel.

The traditional group photo by the poolside was scrapped for unknown reasons.

But the press had a good view of the girls as they paraded in national costumes (of their own choice), designed by Pepsi Herrera, Gener Gozum, Renee Salud, Peter Lim, Philip Tampus, Cary Santiago, Dino Loren, among others.

Three titles are at stake at the grand finals: Miss Universe-Philippines, Bb. Pilipinas-International and Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism.

Sitting as judges at the press presentation were Madame Stella Marquez de Araneta and husband Jorge Araneta, Ambassador Lani Bernardo, artist Betsy Westendorp, Chit Guerrero, Bong Osorio, fashion designer Eddie Ocampo, Shamcey Supsup, Jenette Fernando, Elaine Kay Moll, Maricarl Tolosa, Anna Maris Igpit, Maggie Wilson and representatives of sponsors that include Araneta Center, ABS-CBN, Cream Silk, Ponds, San Miguel Brewery, Ginebra San Miguel, San Miguel Food, Petron Corporation and San Miguel Global Power, together with Avon, JAG, Pizza Hut, PAL, David’s Salon, PDI, Joylong Vans, Picture City, Gold’s Gym, Dale Carnegie Training Center, Entrepreneur School of Asia and Charter Ping An Insurance Corp.